WHERE AM I?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 492, 23 October 1928, Page 1

WHERE AM I?

Bondi Man Awakes on Niagara STRANDED IN N.Z. The first indication Harry James Edward Field had that he was on an ocean voyage was when a steward tapped him on the shoulder saying, “Dinner is ready, sir.” It was then, according to the story that he told in the Police Court this morning, that Field realised where he was and that he should have been on his way home to Bondi where his wife also had dinner ready for him. Field, a clerk, aged 33, was charged with stowing away on the Niagara. He pleaded guilty. “I cannot think why he came over here,” said Sub-Inspector McCarthy. “A man named Griffin, a sort of patrolman found him and apparently he wants to go straight back.” Invited to make an explanation, Field said that on the night before the ship sailed he had gone home and given his wife part of his salary, getting drunk on the remainder. The following morning he had wandered down town and remembered nothing further until he woke up on the mail boat. “I told the steward that I had no right to be on board,” continued Field, “and was told to report to the Master-at-Arms. I have a good Government position in Sydney and want to get back to my wife. This is the first time I have been in any trouble.” Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: Can you pay your fare back? Field: I can in Sydney. Mr. Hunt: Does anyone know anything about him? I don’t want to send him up or impose a fine. Sub-Inspector McCarthy: I am afraid he is a stranger in a strange land, sir. Field suggested that some arrangements could be made with the Union Company so that his fare could be collected on the other side of the Tasman and a remand was made until Wednesday to enable inquiries to be made. “Tell the police all about yourself,” suggested the magistrate as Field left the dock. “There is no need to advertise yourself by saying it here.”